The main aim of this course is to foster an understanding of the geographic distribution of organisms and biodiversity, as well as the underlying factors that shape these patterns. The topics covered in the course include latitudinal gradients of biodiversity and characteristics of different ecosystems in tropical and subtropical East Asia, which are influenced by climate, soil, and historical factors. Additionally, the course explores the impacts of human activities, such as urbanisation and land cover changes, on these distribution patterns and the management challenges associated with them.